2015 Corvette Stingray To Come Available With A Performance Data Recorder

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Wants To Help You Do Better On A Racetrack.

Chevrolet has announced that the 2015 Corvette Stingray will be available with the Performance Data Recorder. The recorder enables drivers to record their hot laps with telemetry overlays to help analyze an determine where they need to improve.

The Performance Data Recorder was jointly developed by GM and Corvette Racing partner Cosworth. The system is comprised of three different components:

A 720p, high-definition camera to record the driver's point-of-view. A microphone is also included for a driver to narrate their lap.

Self-contained telemetry recorder that uses a dedicated GPS receiver to provide precise information of where the vehicle is. The recorder also hard-wired into the Stingray’s Controller Area Network, or CAN to access data such as engine speed, gear selection, braking force, and steering angle.

Dedicated SD Card Slot in the glovebox to record and transfer data. Dependent on the size of the SD card, you can record up to more than 13 hours of driving time

The recorder offers four different modes which vary the amount of overlay on the video. They include:

Touring Mode – simply records and displays video and audio of the drive with no data overlay

Sport Mode – shows fewer details on the overlay but includes key data including speed and g-force

Track Mode – shows the maximum level of data on the screen, including speed, rpm, g-force, a location-based map, lap time and more.

Videos can be watched on the Corvette Stingray’s eight-inch color touchscreen or downloaded to a computer.

“The Performance Data Recorder combines the ability to record and share drive videos with the power of a professional-level motorsports telemetry system. Drivers can easily record and share their experiences driving down the Tail of the Dragon or lapping Road Atlanta. In addition, with the included telemetry software, users can analyze their laps in incredible detail and find opportunities to improve their driving and lap times,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer.

Pricing hasn't announced for the Performance Data Recorder, but it will be available starting in the third quarter of this year.

• HD-quality videos can be reviewed in-car (when parked), or downloaded to a personal computer for sharing via social media

• Data can be uploaded to Cosworth Toolbox telemetry software, similar to that used by Corvette Racing, to improve driver's techniques and lap times

LAS VEGAS – At the Consumer Electronics Show today, Chevrolet announced an all-new, industry-first Performance Data Recorder will be available on the 2015 Corvette Stingray. The fully integrated system enables users to record high-definition video, with telemetry overlays, of their drive experiences on and off the track.

"The Performance Data Recorder combines the ability to record and share drive videos with the power of a professional-level motorsports telemetry system," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. "Drivers can easily record and share their experiences driving down the Tail of the Dragon or lapping Road Atlanta. In addition, with the included telemetry software users can analyze their laps in incredible detail, and find opportunities to improve their driving and lap times." The Performance Data Recorder (PDR) system was developed with Cosworth, the British motorsports-engineering company that also supplies the Corvette Racing team's data acquisition and telemetry electronics system. It will be available with the start of regular 2015 Corvette production, later in the third quarter of 2014. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

The PDR system includes three major components, all seamlessly integrated into the Corvette Stingray's interior. First is the 720p, high-definition camera, mounted within the windshield header trim, which records the driver's point-of-view through the windshield. Audio is recorded via a dedicated microphone in the cabin. Second is a self-contained telemetry recorder. The system uses a dedicated GPS receiver that operates at 5 Hz, five times faster than the in-dash navigation system, for more precise positioning and corner traces. The recorder is also hard-wired into the Stingray's Controller Area Network (CAN) to access vehicle information, ranging from engine speed and transmission-gear selection to braking force and steering-wheel angle.

Finally, the system features a dedicated SD-card slot in the glove box for recording and transferring video and vehicle data. Recording time depends on the capacity of the memory card, but an 8GB card can record approximately 200 minutes, while a 32GB card stores up to about 800 minutes – more than 13 hours of driving time.

The PDR system can record video with three data overlay options, each rendered in real time:

• Track Mode – shows the maximum level of data on the screen, including speed, rpm, g-force, a location-based map, lap time, and more.

• Sport Mode – shows fewer details on the overlay, but includes key data including speed and g-force

• Touring Mode – no data overlay; it simply records and displays video and audio of the drive

The video can be viewed on the Corvette Stingray's eight-inch color touchscreen (when the car is parked), or downloaded to a computer for further editing, and sharing video via social media sites.

For users who want a more in-depth understanding of their performance, the PDR vehicle data can be opened in the included "Cosworth Toolbox" software, which combines Cosworth's professional-level motorsport data analysis with an easy-to-use graphic interface.

The Cosworth Toolbox application overlays recorded laps on a Bing-enabled satellite map of the track, and features an easy-to-use interface to compare selected laps in detail, for any requested point on the drive. Comparisons include corner traces, vehicle speed, and cornering force to help drivers improve their driving consistency, and ultimately lap times.

The ability to review laps between track sessions can identify immediate adjustments for quicker laps in the next session," said Juechter. "It's like having a 32-GB crew chief trackside, proving you with real-time feedback to improve your driving skills."

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This sounds very cool. For those of us that have used laptops to do this, it makes it much easier, but I do wonder if big brother will want to access this info if they use it on public roads. Have to be careful of where one uses it so you do not leave behind evidence if you do something not legal.

I could see this on a future Fast and Furious movie where they show recording their street race and then going back to fine tune the auto.